Pollutant [puh-loot-nt]
noun
A pollutant is a substance or energy introduced into the environment that has undesired effects, or adversely affects the usefulness of a resource.
Perceived exposure to a pollutant can be outside of your control.
With this in mind, ask your clients and prospects the following:
Are they confident that their neighbors and customers are comfortable with their products or operations?
Are they planning development or capital improvements that may unearth unknown contamination?
Do they own or manage any property and are they aware of all current and historic operations?
Is there anything on, at, under or emanating from their property into the soil, water or air that may be considered a pollutant?
Have any of their neighbors’ operations negatively affected their property? Is contamination migrating onto their property from somewhere else?
Could their contracting work cause an environmental condition, or exacerbate an existing condition — above ground, subsurface or behind a wall?
Do they offer recommendations or professional services that someone relies on to make decisions about environmental exposures?
As a manufacturer AND/OR distributor, could their product harm a person or be considered a pollutant? Could the failure of their product result in a pollution incident?
Are they, or a 3rd party on their behalf, transporting their product or waste?
How and where do they dispose of any waste?
Are they prepared to address an environmental lawsuit? Both from a financial and public relations perspective?
If any of these cause them concern or make them question their current risk management practices then it’s time to engage an expert.
Inadequate insurance programs can result in significant costs from environmental liabilities.
Most standard property and casualty programs do NOT include coverage for an environmental claim — not just the cost to clean something up — but also the resulting or alleged bodily injury, property damage and the associated defense costs.
Contact Argosy today for the guidance you need to support your sales and marketing efforts and help you educate your clients about their environmental risks... whatever the industry!